Fencers Beat Drew and Vassar

NEW HAVEN, Conn.—It was a successful return home to New Haven, Conn., for the Yale women's fencing team. After spending last weekend in New York, this weekend it beat out both Drew and Vassar in the seventh-floor fencing salon in Payne Whitney Gymnasium.

"We are really proud of how we performed today," said junior captain Lauren Miller. "Every fencer was able to focus as get the job done, and we had a lot of fun doing it."

In the first match-up of the day, Yale defeated Vassar 19-8. That result included a particularly strong performances by the sabre weapon squad, which achieved a 9-0 shutout, and the foil team, which won a 7-2 verdict.

The Bulldogs carried that momentum in their second bout of the day, in which they overcame Drew 15-5. This time Yale's epee squad led the way, recording a 9-0 clean sweep as the Bulldogs capped off a successful day.

Saturday's result is a repeat of last year, in which the Bulldogs recorded substantial wins against both teams. Yale beat out both Drew (24-3) and Vassar (19-8) at a meet hosted by Vassar in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and every Yale fencer, including every substitute and non-starter, contributed at least one win towards the overall bout score.

"I am especially impressed with the women's team's ability to support each other's squads—not only in terms of winning bouts to make up for other squads' losses, but also in cheering each other on and constantly monitoring each other," Miller said. "I'm confident that we can keep up our strong support system for Ivies next weekend."

The strong result this weekend will prepare the Bulldogs well for the upcoming Ivy League Championship, which takes place on Feb. 8-9 at Brown in Providence, R.I.